36 Weeks—SURPRISE!

You’ll have to excuse any typos or if this blog entry doesn’t make any sense at all. You see it’s 5 in the morning, I’m sitting in a hospital bed, on pain meds and going off of 4 hours of sleep. Why? Well, surprise, Bennett decided to join us 3 1/2 weeks early! I wanted to attempt and write this down while it was fresh on my mind. So many women say that “you just forget how labor feels”…well, I definitely haven’t forgotten yet. It all started last Friday when I started having some pre-labor symptoms. I was very excited because I thought I was right on track for a 38/39 week delivery. I read that all pre-labor symptoms can occur 2-4 weeks before actual delivery. Then Saturday I awoke with some of the same symptoms…then Sunday I started having what I honestly put off as indigestion or a back ache. Well Monday morning, I started getting concerned when this so-called “back ache” seemed to be coming in waves every 10-12 minutes consistently. Luckily, I had my weekly doctor’s appointment and was able to check in with my doctor.
The appointment started out normal.
Doc-“How are you feeling”
Abby- “I’m actually having a lot of back pain”
Doc- “Well, lets check it out”
Abby- “I’m sure it’s just all part of pregnancy, but I…”
Doc- “Ok, Abby, you are dialated to a 2 and 100% effaced…go home, get some rest, and I’ll probably be seeing you at the hospital tonight”.
Abby- “Excuse me?”
And sure enough, she did see me in the hospital Monday night. I came in with contractions 5 minutes apart, and was dialated to a 4. I gave birth to our son Bennett Berry Rodgers at 7: 52 a.m. He is holding strong at 6 lbs. 9 ounces, 20 inches long and is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life.
My labor was intense to say the least. I truly had no idea what to expect, but THAT was beyond my wildest dreams. I am going to spare you the details, but I will say that I have a whole new respect for every Mom out there. I am so glad that it is over, and can’t believe I made it through without losing my mind. There were moments that I thought I was going to lose it, and if it weren’t for my mom, husband and amazing St. John’s labor team I would have.
There is so much more to say, but I honestly don’t have the energy to continue. I’ll end with letting you know that Bennett, though considered pre-mature, is doing great (which is truly all that matters). His lungs are fully developed, and so far he has passed all his tests. One of my main concerns was that with his small size he would have trouble feeding, but he is latching on better and better. I am just in love with this little guy, and couldn’t be happier!
To the Motherhood,
Abby